In a service marked by pageantry, prayers and celebratory bagpipes, the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) received its new Archbishop and Primate this week. Hosted at the Mount Pleasant, South Carolina campus of Seacoast, a nondenominational megachurch, the gathering drew together clergy, bishops and laity from across the denomination as well as global Anglican and ecumenical visitors.
Church Court: Season of Church Exits Is Over
The United Methodist Church’s top court ruled that a church closure cannot be used as an alternative method of disaffiliation. The Judicial Council also struck down as unconstitutional an expansion of the church-closure law. The two rulings were among five the church court released dealing with church exits and closures.
Burge sees danger in ‘political monoculture’ of evangelicalism
The problem with white evangelicals isn’t their close affiliation with the Republican Party but the homogeneity of their political thinking and culture, sociologist of religion Ryan Burge said during a conference hosted by Denver Seminary. “When a religious movement becomes overwhelmingly a political monoculture, that’s bad not just for the people in the pews, but for democracy as a whole,” said Burge, associate professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University and author of the “Graphs about Religion” Substack.
Also See: Voters must choose between two religious visionsWhat Exactly is “Sola Scriptura” Protecting Us Against?
At the heart of Sola Scriptura, is the recognition that fallen humans are always looking to replace God’s authority with some other human/creaturely authority. After all, that was the essence of the very first sin in the garden. The rebellion of Adam and Eve was fundamentally a rejection of God’s word that if they ate of the fruit they would surely die. Ever since, humans have been remarkably inventive in the variety of authorities they erect in place of God. Sola Scriptura is designed simply to prevent these other authorities from ruling the Christian and to keep God’s Word rightly as our ultimate guide. Here are three examples of such authorities....
Sustained Influence
Leadership is influence … for the good of the people and the advancement of the mission. It’s one thing to gain influence and a very different thing to sustain influence.
How to preach about the election
Only one Sunday remains until Election Day. With a candidate on the ballot who promises to be a dictator on day one, the stakes could not be higher — for the church or for democracy. The truth is the vast majority of American Christians reject the manipulation and abuse of faith exemplified by ex-President Donald Trump and his court pastors. Despite this, too few clergy are shepherding their congregations away from the conspiracy theories and January-6-style violence of far-right Christian nationalism and toward Jesus’ teachings of love, truth and peace.
Children’s Ministry Strategies for Unchurched Kids and Families
Children’s ministry strategies for unchurched kids are vital. Many children have little to no exposure to the Bible or Jesus. For kidmin leaders and teachers, reaching unchurched kids can be challenging. But it’s also a way to fulfill the Great Commission!
6 Things That Happen When a Youth Group Focuses on Evangelism
Every youth pastor wants to see their students on fire for Jesus. But what’s the best way to help them get there? Youth ministry tradition says a weekly game, 20-minute sermon, and the occasional special event can do the trick. But tradition is losing its impact on today’s teens who need and want more. Instead, let’s look at 6 things that happen when you switch gears and start to focus on relational evangelism.
Embracing Embodied Spirituality: A Call to Pastors and Church Leaders
In a world where the intellect often receives precedence, the church faces a vital call to reclaim and embrace the holistic nature of discipleship that integrates mind, spirit, and body.
Five practical ways to support your missionaries
Hugh Johnson identifies five practical ways that churches can support missionaries.
How I Overcame My Fear in Evangelism
How can young adult Christians share their faith without fear. Daniela Angulo offers three things that have helped her.
